R O U T I N E M A I N T E N A N C E
14-27
Additionally, underinflated tires will also cause poor handling of the motor home, rapid and/or
irregular tire wear, and an increase in rolling resistance of the motor
home which, in turn, produces a decrease in fuel economy of operation.
An overinflated tire will reduce the tire’s “footprint” (i.e., its actual
contact with the road); thus, reducing the traction, braking capacity, and
handling of the motor home. A tire that is over-inflated for the load
that it is carrying will also contribute to a harsh ride, uneven tire wear,
and the tire itself will be more susceptible to impact damage.
Maintaining correct tire pressure for each loaded wheel position on the motor home is critically
important and must be a part of regular vehicle maintenance.
Tire Maximum Load Rating
Federal law requires that the maximum load rating be molded into the sidewall of the tire. If one
looks at a tire sidewall, one may see some “
typical
” information, such as:
Max. Load Single 3640 Lbs at 85 psi cold
Max. Load Dual 3415 Lbs at 85 psi cold
The maximum load allowed for the size tire and load rating and the minimum cold air-inflation pressure
needed to carry that stated maximum load are noted on the tire. Using less air pressure would reduce the
load-carrying capacity of the tire.
The amount of air pressure one needs depends on the weight of the fully loaded motor home.
Consequently, one cannot determine the correct air-inflation pressure, unless one knows the
actual weights of the motor home
.
Weighing the Motor Home
Earlier, in Chapter 1, the procedures for weighing the motor home were presented (see pp. 1-6 and 1-7).
These procedures provided the weighing of a “non-loaded” (i.e., not stocked with the possessions and
provisions the user would normally have onboard for travel) motor home. Obviously, any additional
weight stored onboard (inside and underneath) the motor home will contribute to the overall weight of
the motor home.
If not stored uniformly throughout the motor home, additional weight of the possessions and provisions
of the motor-home user will load each axle and each tire differently (front-to-rear and side-to-side
distribution of that additional weight). Accordingly,
it is necessary to weigh the motor home fully
loaded as the user would have it for travel.
Moreover,
it is necessary to weigh each tire position
individually
.
Figure 14-7. Front Tire
Summary of Contents for 2011 Phaeton
Page 8: ...G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N 1 1 GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 ...
Page 15: ......
Page 16: ...D R I V I N G S A F E T Y I N S T R U C T I O N S 2 1 Driving Safety Instructions Chapter 2 ...
Page 28: ......
Page 29: ...H E A T I N G A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G 3 1 Heating Air Conditioning Chapter 3 ...
Page 36: ......
Page 58: ......
Page 59: ...C A B I N E T S F U R N I T U R E 5 1 Cabinets Furniture Chapter 5 ...
Page 65: ......
Page 66: ...S T R U C T U R A L F E A T U R E S 6 1 Structural Features Chapter 6 ...
Page 68: ......
Page 69: ...E L E C T R I C A L F E A T U R E S 7 1 Electrical Features Chapter 7 ...
Page 81: ......
Page 82: ...S L I D E O U T F E A T U R E S 8 1 Slide Out Features Chapter 8 ...
Page 86: ......
Page 87: ...E X T E R I O R F E A T U R E S 9 1 Exterior Features Chapter 9 ...
Page 94: ......
Page 95: ...I N T E R I O R F E A T U R E S 10 1 Interior Features Chapter 10 ...
Page 98: ......
Page 99: ...P L U M B I N G B A T H F E A T U R E S 11 1 Plumbing Bath Fixtures Chapter 11 ...
Page 110: ......
Page 111: ...C O N S T R U C T I O N F E A T U R E S 12 1 Construction Features Chapter 12 ...
Page 113: ...C O N S T R U C T I O N F E A T U R E S 12 3 ...
Page 114: ......
Page 115: ...W I N D O W S A W N I N G S V E N T S D O O R S 13 1 Windows Awnings Vents Doors Chapter 13 ...
Page 120: ......
Page 121: ...R O U T I N E M A I N T E N A N C E 14 1 Routine Maintenance Chapter 14 ...
Page 163: ......
Page 164: ...M A I N T E N A N C E D A T A C H A R T S 15 1 Maintenance Data Charts Chapter 15 ...
Page 173: ...M A I N T E N A N C E D A T A C H A R T S 15 10 ...